Torrance County Commissioners

A collection of 34 posts

Torrance County Commissioners

Residents Push for Answers on Wind and Transmission Projects; County's Advisor Fields Both, Despite Saying He Represents Neither

Torrance County’s financial advisor, Rob Burpo, disclaimed formal ties to PNM’s transmission project, then fielded engineering, water and environmental questions about it anyway, while the county attorney, Michael Garcia, defended commissioners against accusations of self-dealing. ESTANCIA, N.M. — Art Tapia drove from Moriarty on Wednesday, August 26,

Torrance County Commissioners

Like Spinning Plates: The Torrance County Commission's Response to Transparency Complaints Validates Public Concerns

Recently, beginning at the July 22, 2026, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners, residents have voiced complaints about the lack of transparency and candor they experience when dealing with the Torrance County government. Commissioners have responded to those complaints with frustration more often than transparency — including, at the commission'

Video

Watch: Our First Torrance County Commission Video Recap - July 8, 2026

July 14, 2026 - Mountainair, New Mexico The Mountainair Dispatch is trying something new. Alongside our written coverage of local government, we are testing a video recap of Torrance County Commission meetings, starting with the board's Wednesday, July 8, 2026, regular meeting. In roughly 12 minutes, the video covers

Torrance County Commissioners

Torrance County Commission Extends Burn Ban, Backs Grid Upgrade, and Weighs Fix for Neglected Roads

Torrance County Board of County Commissioners regular meeting, Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 205 South Ninth Street, Estancia, New Mexico ESTANCIA, NM - Torrance County commissioners extended the county's burn ban through the rest of the summer, agreed to serve as fiscal agent for a multimillion-dollar electric grid upgrade

2026 Elections

Unofficial Primary Results: Carter Leads Incumbent Frazee in Torrance County

One vote separates a county commission race as Republican primaries decide several local offices Estancia Police Chief Thomas D. Carter has opened a clear lead over incumbent Torrance County Sheriff David E. Frazee in the Republican primary for sheriff, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night by the Office of

Torrance County

Torrance County Commissioners Hear Abuse Allegations at Detention Facility, Weigh Edgewood Fire Request, Accept Financial Audit

The Torrance County Board of County Commissioners convened its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the county administrative offices in Estancia. The three-member board — Chair Ryan Schwebach of District 2, Vice Chair Kevin McCall of District 1, and Commissioner Linda Jaramillo of District 3 — heard testimony alleging

Torrance County

Torrance County Approves ICE Detention Contract Extension Over Public Objections

ESTANCIA – The Torrance County Commission on Thursday unanimously approved what county officials indicated is likely the final extension of the county's contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia. The contract modification extends the intergovernmental service agreement between Torrance

Torrance County

Torrance County Commission reconsiders ICE contract following NMDOJ guidance

The Torrance County Commission voted February 4, 2026, to approve a contract modification extending its agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees for the federal agency in the Torrance County Detention Facility, following legal guidance advising the county to return the item to the commission

Torrance County

Torrance County Commissioners to hold another special meeting to modify its Contract with ICE

While House Bill 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, proceeds through the legislature, the Torrance County Commissioners have scheduled another special meeting to modify their contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the detention of immigrants at the Torrance County Detention Facility. This special meeting is scheduled as follows: * Wednesday,

Torrance County Commissioners

Torrance County Commission Brings On New Deputy County Manager

The Torrance County Commission held a brief special meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to address organizational and budgetary matters, including mid-year budget adjustments, personnel reclassifications, and approval of a new deputy county manager employment agreement. At the start of the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to keep Ryan Schwebach

NMDOJ

NM Department of Justice Raises Concerns Over Torrance County ICE Extension

Advertise with the Dispatch: If you are considering advertising with the Mountainair Dispatch, please get in touch with me at todd@mountainairdispatch.com or 719-496-1660. I can help with graphics and copywriting. Consider sponsoring free public access to a month's worth of news. It's

News

County $5.7M Over Budget on Building and Operating at a Deficit

The Torrance County Commission met on Tuesday, December 10, 2025, to address several critical issues, including escalating costs for the planned new administrative building and concerning cash flow trends showing the county is spending far more than it is taking in. Administrative Building Project Faces $5.7M Gap Wilson and

News

Following Attack by Teachers Union, Torrance County Commissioners Defend McCall's Pumpkin Patch

The rumors surrounding McCall's Pumpkin Patch began circulating via social media on Monday, October 6, 2025. Numerous individuals messaged the Mountainair Dispatch, stating that County Commissioner Kevin McCall was bringing ICE agents to McCall's Pumpkin Patch. One called and advised that "Albuquerque's teachers&

News

County Commissioners Pass Interim Budget But Take No Action on PERA Contributions

Summary In a special meeting of the Board of Torrance County Commissioners on May 22, 2025, the commissioners addressed two of the three matters on their agenda. Specifically, they addressed the approval of the interim budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) and Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) contributions. Nonetheless, the

Torrance County Commissioners

Torrance County Commissioners Extend TCDF Agreement and Consider Changes to Fire Department

The TCDF Contract As is often the case when television cameras are present, the Torrance County Commission meeting on March 26, 2025, dealt with the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF). Attendance was larger than usual, with a news crew from KOB-TV present, filming from behind county attorney Michael Garcia

Torrance County Commissioners

A Public Hearing Regarding A Private Family Dispute

The March 12, 2025, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners focused on a family dispute appealed from the Board of Planning and Zoning. The Candelaria Family brought before the County Commission an appeal of a decision of the Torrance County Planning and Zoning Board regarding the burial of US Army

News

County Faces IRS Penalty and Commissioner Threatens Speakers During Public Comment

The October 23, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners began with congratulations for the absent chairman, Ryan Schwebach, as his son had won an FFA competition that led to the father-and-son duo advancing to competitions in Indiana. It then went into public comment, which addressed residents'

News

County Commissioners Push through Payment Decisions at the end of an Eight-Hour Session

Planning and Zoning Department Director Don Goen brought before the commissioners a proposed change to Torrance County Ordinance 2020-06 and requested approval to publish the title and general summary of the proposed changes to the ordinance prior to the public hearing to decide whether to approve the changes, which

News

Torrance County Commissioners focus on Cannabis-Related Planning and Zoning Issues

During the public comment period of the October 9, 2024, Torrance County Commission meeting, Ann Schropp (wife of Torrance County Commissioner Sam Schropp) spoke about the Carter Foundation bringing an election observer to oversee elections in Torrance County. Schropp said it was embarrassing that observers needed to be present and

News

County Commission Extends Contract with CoreCivic and Identifies Incoming County Manager

The September 25, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners ("TCC") addressed: 1. Estancia Mayor Nathan Dial's concerns regarding the Torrance County Sheriff threatening to arrest him for attending a meeting of the Torrance County Republican Party at the McIntosh Senior Center; 2. the Torrance County

News

Another Look at Cannabis, a Multi-million Dollar Expense, and A Relationship with EMWT Water

The Torrance County Public Hearing Concerning Cannabis Grow Operations The September 11, 2024, regular meeting of the Torrance County Commission opened with a lengthy public comment period largely composed of activists requesting that the Torrance County Commission terminate its contract with CoreCivic for the operation of the Torrance County Detention

News

Seven Hours in May: Interim Budget Brings No Salary Increase for County Employees

This time last year, the Torrance County Commission held an eleven-and-a-half hour session addressing the county’s interim budget and the use of ARPA funding before a feared clawback of federal funds. This year’s interim budget session was much shorter: just seven hours long. Torrance County

News

Torrance County extends ICE Contract and Addresses Broadband with CNMEC

The April 24, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners focused on the renewal of the county's contract with ICE and CoreCivic for the Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF). It introduced statements from Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative (CNMEC) CEO Alena Brandenberger regarding a broadband grant it was

News

Peaceful Protest of TCDF at Torrance County Commission Meeting

Please consider subscribing to the Mountainair Dispatch. Your support helps cover the costs of reporting like this.Subscribe Now The April 10, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners was a standing-room-only affair. Individuals with multiple immigration rights organizations were in the audience to protest against renewing the

News

Anti-Detention Facility Organizations Clash with Torrance County Commissioners

At the March 13, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners, business was as usual until public comment began. During public comment, representatives from the Immigration Law Lab and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center discussed alleged conditions at the Torrance County Detention Facility. Aurora Arreola, the Policy Program Manager